The European Union has imposed further sanctions against Iran for alleged human rights violations. EU foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels on March 11, added nine people to the list of Iranian nationals facing a travel ban and an assets freeze.

It brings the total number of Iranians facing EU sanctions to 87. The ministers also imposed an assets freeze on one "entity," meaning a company or organization.

The sanctions will be in place until April 13, 2014.

The names of those sanctions are expected to be released on March 12.

Ahmed Shaheed said in his report to the UN Human Rights Council that rights violations in Iran worsened in 2012, citing abuses including repression of freedom of speech, torture, and secret executions.

He also highlighted "punitive state action" against opposition politicians, journalists, and human rights campaigners.

Based on reporting by AFP, RFE/RL's Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels, and AP